Weegar collects 3 points as Canada routs host Latvia in men's hockey worlds opener

MacKenzie Weegar had a goal and two assists as Canada downed co-host Latvia Friday in its opening game at the world men's hockey championship.

Lawson Crouse, Scott Laughton, Sammy Blais, Joe Veleno and Jack McBain also had goals as the Canadians spread the scoring around.

Sam Montembeault made 23 saves for the shutout.

Ivars Punnenovs allowed two goals on five shots in the Latvia goal before giving way to Arturs Silovs, who surrendered four goals on 24 shots.

WATCH | Canada crushes Latvia:

Canada returns to action Sunday against Slovenia.

Canada and Finland have met in the last three finals, with the Finns winning in 2019 and 2022 and Canada victorious in 2021 in Riga.

The 2020 world championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the United States overcame defending champion Finland 4-1.

Alex Tuch scored two goals and Drew O'Connor had a goal and two assists to lead the U.S. Cutter Gauthier also scored and goaltender Casey DeSmith stopped 23 shots in Tampere.

Teemu Hartikainen gave the hosts a 1-0 lead late in the opening period on a power play before Ganthier tied it from the left circle in the second.

The Czech Republic beat Slovakia 3-2, also in Riga.

Oscar Lindberg scored the lone goal on a power play for Sweden to beat Germany 1-0 in Tampere.

Finland and Latvia are staging the tournament after the hosting rights were stripped from Russia because of the war in Ukraine. Tampere was one of the host cities last year, and Riga was a host in 2021.

Russia and its ally Belarus are excluded from the tournament for the second straight year.